Hidden Fort Lauderdale Tour – Architecture, Urban Design and Local History

At 115 years, Fort Lauderdale is reaching some completion. Its first century was defined by downtown demolition. Its second is a story of rebirth. Today, the city stands as a model of urban planning, resulting from a practical approach to downtown redevelopment married with one great gift of history. Unlike other Post WWII redevelopment schemes, downtown redevelopment here broke down existing superblocks increasing walkability. The new downtown compliments an urban fabric unscarred by limited-access highways. This is the city-wide human scale many cities are trying to stitch back together. If the architecture is exceptional it’s not because it aspires to stand out, but because of its egalitarian nature. Many, if not most locals, will balk at the positivity in these paragraphs. Often though the outsider sees the virtue in a place before locals do. This tour of Fort Lauderdale led by someone who helped shape it will give you a headstart to appreciating the beauty of this unassuming yet exceptional city.

- Tunnel Top - Stranahan House - River Trolley to New River Inn - Brickell Avenue - Andrews Avenue Main Street - A museum of art and all that came in the place of the Rouse urban mall - Stranahan Park - The Downtown Fort Lauderdale Florida Quality Development (FQD) - The Kernel block that isn't so super. - Las Olas Blvd in Beverly Heights and Colee Hammock - Victoria Park - Venice from Mangroves - Birch Estates - Bonnet House Estate - Birch State Park - North U.S. 1 - Sistrunk Corridor - Flagler Village